Kuala lumpur: The Penang branch of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (JKDM) successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle 8.15 million sticks of undeclared white cigarettes valued at RM9.14 million, including taxes, through Port Klang, Selangor in June.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the operation was led by the director of Penang JKDM, Hasbollah Din, and involved a thorough inspection by the Penang JKDM Enforcement Division. The inspection, carried out on June 24, targeted a container that had been declared to contain plastic canvas.
Upon inspection, the officers discovered a significant quantity of undeclared white cigarettes. In total, 815 master cases containing 8,150,000 sticks of white cigarettes were found, with an estimated value of RM9.14 million, inclusive of taxes. Hasbollah Din noted that the cigarettes were intended for the local market.
The investigation revealed that false declarations were made in the container's manifest to mislead the authorities. Preliminary findings indicated the involvement of a shipping company and a logistics company, both with branches in Subang Jaya. The origin of the goods is suspected to be a Southeast Asian country, but further investigations are ongoing.
In connection with the discovery, the manager of the shipping company, a man in his 50s, has been called in for further questioning. The case is being investigated under Section 133 (1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967.
In another incident, the Penang JKDM also managed to thwart an attempt to distribute suspected undeclared liquor at the Tambun Utara Toll Plaza exit ramp near Simpang Ampat, Nibong Tebal on May 24. Hasbollah reported the seizure of 5,904.48 litres of various liquor brands, estimated to be worth RM237,244.40 including taxes.
The enforcement team monitored a lorry from Selangor, which was later intercepted at the toll plaza exit. It was believed that the consignment was meant for local market distribution. Two local men, the lorry driver and his assistant, both in their 30s, were arrested. The lorry and the alcoholic beverages were confiscated for further investigation under Section 135(1)(e) of the Customs Act 1967.